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| Pronunciation |
|
 (floo
TIK a
sone) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Cutivate™; Flonase®;
Flovent®; Flovent®
Diskus®; Flovent®
Rotadisk® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Corticosteroid, Oral Inhaler; Corticosteroid, Nasal |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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- When switching from an oral steroid to an inhaled one there can be
problems. Symptoms such as weakness, feeling tired, dizziness, nausea, vomiting,
inability to think clearly, or low blood sugar may occur. Call healthcare
provider right away if any of these occur. If you have a serious accident and
are injured, have surgery, or any type of infection you may need extra doses of
oral steroids. These extra steroids will help your body deal with these
stresses. Carry a warning card saying that you may need extra steroids at
certain times.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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|
- If you have an allergy to fluticasone or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have an infection caused by
bacteria.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
- Oral inhalation:
- This medicine is used for the treatment of chronic asthma to prevent
attacks. It is not
helpful during an asthma attack. The biggest benefit may be seen after 2 weeks
of the medicine.
- Flovent® Diskus® is for
patients 4 years of age and older. It is for those needing oral steroid therapy
for management of their asthma.
- Nasal:
- This medicine is used to treat the nasal symptoms in patients with
allergies. It is not
helpful during an allergy attack. The biggest benefit may be seen after 1-2
weeks of regular use.
- It can also be used for nose irritation unrelated to allergies.
- Skin application:
- This medicine is used to treat a variety of skin conditions: Contact
dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, eczema, lichen planus, bug bites, burns,
psoriasis, severe diaper rash, chronic discoid lupus erythematosus, alopecia
areata, mycosis fungoides, dermatophyte and fungus (yeast) infections. There may
be other skin conditions not listed
here.
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| How does it work? |
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- Oral inhalation:
- Fluticasone prevents and reduces irritation in the airways of the
lungs and may relax the muscles of the airways to prevent lung spasms.
- Nasal:
- Fluticasone prevents and reduces irritation and swelling in the nose.
- Skin application:
- Fluticasone reduces irritation and itching on the affected areas of
the skin.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Oral inhalation:
- Check inhaler use with healthcare provider at each visit. Using the
inhaler the right way is very important.
- There are two types of inhalers: Aerosol and powder with delivery
device. For aerosol, shake well first. If you cannot work the inhaler, ask
healthcare provider for a device called a spacer to help.
- Rinse mouth out after each use. Avoid spraying in eyes.
- For Flovent® Diskus®, do
not take device apart or wash it. Do not use with a spacer. Do not exhale into
device.
- Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it at
a high dose for a long time. Medicine should be slowly decreased.
- Nasal:
- For the nose only. Take at a similar time every day. Shake well first.
- Blow your nose before using.
- Check spray use with healthcare provider at each visit.
- Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it at
a high dose for a long time. Medicine should be slowly decreased.
- Skin application:
- Do not take by mouth. For skin only. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes
(may burn).
- Wash your hands before and after use.
- Use ointment or cream in a small amount over the area affected as a
light film. Rub in gently.
- Do not put coverings (bandages, dressings, make-up) over the area
unless told to do so by healthcare provider.
- Do not use tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants on a child treated
in the diaper area. This may cause more medicine to get into the child's
system.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Use a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not use a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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|
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
- Oral:
- Wear disease medical alert identification if you have asthma, lung
disease, are an allergy sufferer, or if you are going to be on this medicine
longer than 3-4
weeks.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Oral inhaler:
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Sore throat, stuffy, runny nose, hoarseness.
- Mouth infection. To prevent, rinse with water after each use.
- Nasal:
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Nasal irritation, burning, bleeding, and dryness.
- Skin application:
- Burning, swelling, or redness of the
skin.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- If a child is using this medicine, monitor growth carefully.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Any signs or symptoms of infection. This may include a fever greater
than 99 degrees, chills, sore throat, cough, increased sputum or change in
color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, anal itching or
pain.
- Feeling weak, tired, irritable, trembling, having rapid heartbeats,
confusion, sweating, dizziness, especially if you missed a dose or recently
stopped this medicine.
- No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
- Skin application:
- Any new rash.
- Severe burning, swelling, or redness of
skin.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Oral inhalation:
- Store aerosol powder at room temperature in a dry place. Aerosol works
best at room temperature.
- Protect aerosol from freezing and direct sunlight.
- Use powder within 2 months after opening foil package.
- Nasal:
- Store spray at room temperature.
- Skin application:
- Store at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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